The Brazil international is wanted by Barcelona and he submitted a transfer request on Friday just a couple of hours after club owners Fenway Sports Group issued a statement insisting he would not be sold.

The Catalan club have already seen two bids turned down by the Reds, and reports claim they are readying a third offer.

Coutinho is currently sidelined with a back injury which has delayed his start to the new season, and he did not travel with the squad to Germany for Tuesday’s all-important Champions League play-off against Hoffenheim.

With just over two weeks remaining of the transfer window, Liverpool are adamant the midfield maestro will not be leaving despite suggestions growing of the player’s discontent.

Captain Jordan Henderson has said he has spoken to the Brazilian over his future but his powerless to affect Coutinho’s decision.

“It is obviously a difficult situation for Phil,” he said.

“Whatever I say will not help the situation but as players, we are fully focused on the game.

“As players, you expect things in the transfer window to happen and players come and go.

“Of course, if you ask everyone, they want Phil to stay as he is a world class player. I have had conversations with Phil it is private (but) I don’t think I can influence the situation.

“I am close to him and I have a lot of respect for him but everything that happens is nothing to do with me.”

The Coutinho issued continues to overshadow what is a pivotal week for Klopp’s side.

Having finished fourth last season they knew they would have to face a play-off to make the Champions League proper but being drawn against Hoffenheim, who finished fourth in the Bundesliga, presents a difficult task.

Victory in the tie is worth an initial £13million and should they make the group stage Liverpool would expect to receive at least £35m.

And Hendersonintends to use his last European experience to ensure they go further in the competition this time around.

The England midfielder, one of only three survivors from the team which lost the Europa League final to Sevilla in Basle in May 2016, told pre-match press conference: “That was a tough night for us as a team.

“Losing in any final but particularly a European final is tough,” he said of the Basle experience, where Liverpool went 1-0 up but fell apart in the second half and lost 3-1.

“You have to use that and make sure you do not have that feeling again and we will use that going into the game and that anger, if you like, to have a good Euro campaign so hopefully it will help us going forward.”